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...This fourth edition has been greatly improved by the addition of group introductions, calendar bars showing species’ occurrence and breeding periods, a section on ‘how to use this book’, as well as sonograms depicting the calls of tricky bird groups.

The newly designed plates are meticulously illustrated, with labels pinpointing key differentiating features. Distribution maps show the relative abundance of a species in the region and also indicate resident or migrant status...

I left it too late, pre-ordering is not possible anymore. But that solves my logistic problem. Here is some more information:

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa remains the region's most comprehensively illustrated and trusted field guide. This fourth edition has been greatly improved by the addition of group introductions and thoroughly revised text, calendar bars showing species' occurrence and breeding periods, a section on ‘how to use this book', as well as sonograms depicting the calls of tricky bird groups. The newly designed plates are meticulously illustrated, with labels pinpointing key differentiating features. Distribution maps show the relative abundance of a species in the region and also indicate resident or migrant status. Written by a team of highly respected authorities, this comprehensive identification guide will be invaluable to all birders, aspirant and experienced.

In a nutshell

Comprehensively revised and reworked text Streamlined, newly designed plates for ease of use and comparison More than 380 new improved illustrations Updated distribution maps showing relative abundance and resident/migrant status Calendar bars showing occurrence and breeding months Sonograms depicting the calls of some of the trickier-to-identify species

I paged through the new edition at a book shop this weekend. I'm not too fond of the new illustrations. There seem to be much fewer annotations than there were in the 3rd ed. which was something I liked (especially over the older Newman's). The quick family illustrations on the front cover are now tabulated, very similar to Roberts VIII. They've also completely done away with the quick family illustrations on the inside back cover (another favourite feature), in favour of an alphabetical family quick reference (will reserve judgement til I've tried this in the field).

Am also a bit miffed that I saw a copy on the shelves before I received my pre-ordered copy. I'm not sure I understand the point of pre-ordering.

Rooies wrote:I have got all the previous editions of Sasol (and Newmans, Sinclair, Oberprieler and Cilliers) and want to know whether the 4th edition is such an improvement that one has to buy it.

I'm not convinced (yet)

Also not convinced - definitely don't like some of the artwork - larks in particular & the fact that most of the nightjars are only depicted in flight.Haven't used it in the field yet, but tried it as my only resource for the Bird ID challenge. Got 7/10-we'll see if the 3 I got wrong are the ones I thought Sasol didn't help as much as it could have